Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter

Transcription

1 Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 1 Winter 2010 Lieutenant Flip Kissinger Dies Lt. Harry P. Flip Kissinger IV, 35, died on Friday, Dec. 11. He was seriously injured in a vehicle accident near Wake Forest on Dec. 4, after leaving Station 6. Kissinger was transported to WakeMed with critical injuries. Firefighters, family and friends maintained a vigil at the hospital. He passed away one week later. Flip joined the Raleigh Fire Department on Oct. 12, He was assigned to Engine 6 on A shift. continued on page 2 Helicopter Training with SHP Fifteen firefighters have completed the initial training for short-haul tethered helicopter rescue operations. This new program partners the Raleigh Fire Department with the State Highway Patrol Aircraft Operations Division, and will significantly reduce the deployment time for airborne rescue in central North Carolina. I NSIDE T HIS I SSUE 1 Lt. Flip Kissinger Dies Helicopter Training with SHP 2 Retirement Ruling Update Crews Battle Fire and Ice 3 Fire Prevention Restructured New Offices - Promotions Retirements - Goodbyes 4 Fallen Firefighters Memorial 5 ICC Conference Explorers Hold Banquet 6 Retiree Christmas Party 7 Photo Gallery 8 Log Books Wanted Calendar Where Are They Now? Burn Center Activities The November training included both classroom and practical instruction. Rescue teams will consist of two rescuers, a pilot, and a co-pilot. Their operations will be limited to rescue, extrication, and delivery of patients to ground crews for further medical treatment and transport. Currently, all of the helicopter technicians are assigned to NC USAR Task Force 8. Several of them will attend advanced training with Task Force 8 members from Durham and Cary fire departments, and will be available to assist the NCHART program that flies with the North Carolina Air National Guard out of Salisbury. Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter - Page 1

2 continued from page 1 Hundreds of firefighters attended the funeral service on Dec. 16, at Richland Creek Community Church in Wake Forest. Kissinger was buried with fire department honors at Pine Forest Cemetery in Wake Forest. or before Jan. 1, Their earned extended sick leave was already transferred. Employees who did not elect to transfer their earned extended sick leave can only use it when all other time is exhausted, and it does not add to their service length at the time of retirement. Firefighters Fight Fire & Ice On Sunday, Jan. 3, low temperatures challenged crews at a house fire at 5532 Bridford Place. Durham Highway Pumper 1, dispatched as automatic mutual aid, arrived and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage of a two-story, wood-frame home. Flip is survived by his wife and two young daughters. A care fund was established at First Citizens Bank. Donations can be made at any branch to the Kissinger Family Care Fund account. Fire was extending to the roof, and entered the attic. Due to a cul de sac and parked cars, arriving apparatus was carefully directed by Battalion 4. Command was then assumed by Car 10. Special hazards included live electricity, due to extended response from the power company, and ice forming on many surfaces. Several fundraisers were also held in December. Durham Highway Fire Department sponsored a Fill the Boot fundraiser on Dec. 12. Triple Threat Band raised money at the Sports Page in Knightdale on Dec. 26. In addition, numerous groups and individuals have helped raise money for the Kissinger Family. Retirement Ruling Update In September, the Department of the State Treasurer notified city officials that the practice of banking extended sick leave to apply toward retirement was illegal. In December, employees were given the opportunity to transfer earned extended sick leave. By completing a form that was due Dec. 31, employee s extended sick leave will be transferred in 1/12 increments over the next 12 months. Employees with no earned extended sick leave were not affected, nor were employees who were hired on Three Six Forks EMS units provided medical monitoring and rehab, and the Wake County EMS Special Operations Unit brought additional supplies. After the fire was controlled, apparatus were backed from the scene, and salt was applied from a Public Works truck. Four relief companies were dispatched. An aerial ladder was used to enter the second story during overhaul, due to structural instability. Rescue personnel also utilized a jack to further stabilize a section of the structure. No injuries were reported. Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter - Page 2

3 Fire Prevention Restructured The Fire Prevention Division was restructured in September. Four positions were reclassified as Asst. Fire Marshal, directly reporting to Fire Marshal and Asst. Fire Chief Rusty Styons. Ten additional inspector, plans examiner, and captain positions were reclassified as Deputy Fire Marshal. "Everyone in the division is now a deputy marshal," said Chief Styons. The new Asst. Fire Marshals supervise four vital areas. Steve Berry leads a team of eight with new construction review and inspection. Tim Henshaw has a team of three people overseeing special hazards, such as industrial sites, hospitals and institutions, and the Convention Center. C.K. Williams and Jeff Johnson each have six-person teams responsible for following the state-mandated inspection schedule. "With our division growing in both size and scope," said Chief Styons, "this restructuring is needed to better align the span of control." The division support staff is Denise Smith and Shirley Boone, who are administrative assistants. Future plans include cross-training of Deputy Fire Marshal positions, creating a division training officer, and a Deputy Fire Marshal who works 24 hour shifts. New Offices Nearly Finished Promotions January 2 Promoted to Captain: Justin W. Hicks, Nelson L. Massey, Charles C. Narron Promoted to Lieutenant: Christopher J. Barrows, Franklin D. Black III, William T. Gautier December 19 Promoted to Lieutenant: Stephen W. Holleman Retirements Capt. Wayland E. Holden retired January 1 with 28.8 years of service. Capt. Lynne S. Lewis retired January 1 with 27.8 years of service. Capt. Cynthia R. Rubens retired January 1 with 28.8 years of service. Deputy Fire Marshal Lt. V. Timothy Wall retired January 1 with 32.8 years of service. Goodbyes Staff Planner Allison G. Griffin s last day was December 7. She leaves with 12.8 years of service. Other News Renovations are nearly finished to the Fire Administration and Fire Prevention offices on the second floor of the Dillon Building at 310 W. Martin Street. The expanded space adds offices for the Asst. Chief of Operations and the Asst. Chief of Services. They are presently located at Station 1 and the Support Services Center, respectively. Fire Administration and Fire Prevention personnel have been temporarily housed in mobile classrooms at the Keeter Training Center. Early planning is underway for a 2010 Retiree Day at the Keeter Training Center. The event will be scheduled in late April or early May. More information is forthcoming. Information is also coming soon about this year s Fireman s Relief Fund scholarships. High school students with retired parents or grandparents in the Raleigh Fire Department are eligible. The scholarship amounts are $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000. Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter - Page 3

4 Fallen Firefighters Memorial Raleigh Fire Department members participated in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Oct. 3 and 4. Fire Chief John McGrath led the command staff at the event as Incident Commander, his second year serving in the role. He previously served as Deputy Incident Commander for six years. The event was managed with a command staff organized in the same roles and hierarchy as operations at an emergency scene. The event command staff numbered about 30 people. "It is an honor to serve with so many dedicated and giving people who make this weekend possible, and it is even more of an honor to be able to provide some comfort to a part of the fire service family who have lost so much," said McGrath of the experience. Asst. Chief of Services Bryant Woodall was the Deputy Incident Commander, and served a variety of functions, including as liaison officer with the many event contractors, security personnel, administrative staff, and event producers. Attendees numbered about 3,200, while some 700 honor guard members, escorts, dignitaries, and command staff members were also present. Capt. Gregory Bridges was also a member of the command staff, serving as Deputy Chief for Transportation. He assisted with transporting family members to and from three airports, and to and from their hotel. "We had eleven buses, each holding 50 people, transporting family members," said Bridges. Families spent two days at events on the memorial grounds. Saturday morning saw an orientation to the National Fire Academy campus, while the afternoon included grief counseling classes and an earlyevening meal. The candlelight ceremony started at 6:00 p.m. On Sunday morning, the families departed the hotel in Fredericks- burg at 8:30 a.m. The memorial service started at 10:00 a.m. During the service, the names of 122 firefighters who died in the line of duty were read. As each fallen member was recognized, their family members were handed a folded American flag. "When you hear a firefighter's name called, and watch a widow and her children walking up, that's when it hits you. That's when you realize why you're there," said Bridges. The name of Lt. Herman Jones, who died on duty Jan. 22, 2008, was added to the memorial. He was represented by family members, who were escorted by Lt. Gregory Buxton. Lt. Buxton, a long-time friend of the Jones family, drove the seven members to the memorial using the department passenger van. "Everyone was close," noted Buxton of the experience. "I appreciated the camaraderie." He adds, "it was like a big family reunion, but somber." The name of Firefighter George E. Crocker was also added to the memorial. He died in the line of duty on June 22, 2008, in the service of the Pine Level Fire Department, where he served as Fire Chief. The memorial service featured an extensive honor guard presence. Capt. Kevin Coppage and Firefighters Glenn Todd and Patrick Marks participated as members of the Raleigh Fire Department Honor Guard. Capt. Coppage was assigned to the national colors team, Marks was part of the lead company of guard members representing departments with a fallen member, and Todd was the presenter of the flag to the family of Herman Jones. In addition to their memorial service roles, other honor duties included standing guard at the Memorial, and serving as family escorts. continued on page 5 Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter - Page 4

5 Capt. Lloyd Johnson and Lt. Jason Lane participated with Wake & District Public Safety Pipes and Drums. They and six others were among the 100-member "mass bands" ensemble that performed at the Saturday candlelight vigil and the Sunday memorial service. Johnson, who attended last year, found the experience humbling. "We wore colored lanyards for security purposes. Ours were orange. Family members wore green. So when you saw a young child wearing a green lanyard, you realized 'this child would never know their father." Lane was the head drum major, accompanying six other majors. They helped the mass bands with marching and music commands. ICC Conference in Baltimore Ten members of the Fire Prevention Division traveled to Baltimore in October, to the annual International Code Council conference. They served as a voting representative for residential construction decisions on fire sprinkler systems, lightweight construction, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide monitors. We sacrificed our time and money to attend this event to vote, so that the citizens of the United States are better protected in their homes through proactive code requirements, said Asst. Chief of Training and former Fire Marshal Larry Stanford, who also attended. ICC codes are subsequently reviewed and approved by the state for enactment into law. Explorers Hold Banquet The Sunday service concluded about 12:30 p.m. Other Raleigh Fire Department participants included Lt. John Rehbock, who worked as event staff, and Firefighter Stephen Holleman, who attended as one of the Crocker family escorts with the Pine Level Fire Department. The Raleigh Fire Department also supports the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation with an annual golf tournament in June. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation was created by the United States Congress to lead a national effort to honor America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire service members, and assist their families and fellow firefighters. See more photos by Christy Bishop on the newsletter web site, On Saturday, Dec. 5, Raleigh Fire Department Explorer Post 108 held its annual fundraising banquet at the Raleigh Firemen's Club. They cooked a 100-pound pig and also served chicken. The event included an annual report, recognition of individual accomplishments, and the post s annual awards. The guest speaker was Raleigh Fire Chief John McGrath. The event was attended by about 125 explorers, firefighters, family members, and friends. Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter - Page 5

6 Retiree Christmas Party The annual retiree Christmas Party was held on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the Wake County Shrine Club. Over 110 retired firefighters, retiree widows, friends, and family members attended. More photos are available at the newsletter web site. See you next year! VIEW THIS NEWSLETTER AND BACK ISSUES AT: Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter - Page 6

7 Photo Gallery The Pink Heals Tour at Triangle Town Center on Oct. 4, raising awareness for breast cancer. Other participating agencies included Falls, New Hope, Rolesville, and Wake Forest fire departments. Durham Highway and Raleigh firefighters fill the boot for the Kissinger Family at the Harris Teeter on Leesville Road on Dec. 12. They raised $7,300. Fire department applicants underwent physical agility testing at the Keeter Training Center in October. This group is starting their 1.5 mile run. The Field Communications Unit at First Night on Dec. 31. Two bike teams with two firefighters each provided emergency medical and public relations support, while Engine 1 and Engine 13 provided fire watch during the fireworks display. Graduates (left) and instructors (right) of the ten-day, 2009 USAR Structural Collapse Technician (SCT) school, held in October at the Keeter Training Center. Two alarms were struck on St. Giles Street on Saturday, Jan. 9. Engine 17 was first on scene at the threestory apartment building. Ladder 6 (shown) and Ladder 3 both flowed after fire spread into the attic. Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter - Page 7

8 L OG B OOKS W ANTED! The Raleigh Fire Department Historical Society is collecting log books from all fire stations. The traditional ledger books were retired about five years ago. Computer entries have replaced the paper format. Log books are being collected on a station-by-station basis, and are presently stored at Station 23. The books are being sorted, cataloged, and shelved. Individual log books in personal possession can be returned to any Raleigh fire station. Or, contact Battalion Chief Luther Walters at Station 23 ( ), who can arrange for pick-up. C ALENDAR OF E VENTS MONTHLY RETIREE BREAKFAST PAM'S RESTAURANT, 5111 WESTERN BOULEVARD, 7:30 A.M. SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH FEBRUARY 9, MARCH 9, APRIL 13 RETIREE LUNCHEON FIRE STATION 26, APRIL DATE TO BE SCHEDULED RETIREE DAY KEETER TRAINING CENTER LATE-APRIL OR EARLY-MAY DATE TO BE SCHEDULED R EMEMBER W HEN Where Are They Now? Retired Capt. Johnny Watkins lives in Rolesville with his wife Jane. They have three children, and eight grandchildren that keep them busy. During the summer, they spend a lot of time watching their grandkids play baseball. Johnny also works three days a week picking up and delivering water quality samples for a local laboratory. Since his retirement in 1994, Johnny and Jane have done some travelling, to Disney World and the mountains and beach. They re planning more extensive travels after Johnny fully recovers from last year s openheart surgery. He had a quadruple bypass on May 1, and is approaching full recovery. He also looks forward to getting back on his motorcycle, and hopes to get back to playing golf. Johnny keeps in touch with other retirees at church and breakfasts in Rolesville, as well at the Christmas Party and through the Quarter Century Club. Burn Center Activities On Nov. 13, Raleigh firefighters delivered a meal to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill. Lunch was provided for about 200 burn survivors, their family members, and staff. The annual meal is now delivered in November, with visits from all supporting state agencies now spread throughout the year. Asst. Chief of Training Larry Stanford participated in the annual survivor s reunion on Nov. 21. The annual event is one of the after-care support programs developed by the Jaycee Burn Center to bring together burn survivors, their families and friends, burn center staff, firefighters, Jaycees and other interested groups to renew acquaintances and celebrate their successes. A BOUT THIS N EWSLETTER THE RALEIGH FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER IS A QUARTERLY SALISBURY STREET SIDE OF THE MANGEL BUILDING FIRE, PUBLICATION FOR PERSONNEL, RETIREES, AND CITIZENS. THE EDITOR IS HISTORIAN MIKE LEGEROS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT rfdnews@legeros.com. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RALEIGH FIRE DEPARTMENT, VISIT THE WEB SITE Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter - Page 8